Free Coronavirus Testing at JWA: OC Health Care, John Wayne Airport

SANTA ANA, CA — Orange County Health Care Agency and John Wayne Airport are working to lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday travel season. OC Health Care Agency will begin distributing no-cost, self-collection COVID-19 testing kits to travelers at JWA starting Wednesday, they reported. The details on who will distribute those tests and how long it will take for results to be made known have yet to be released.

John Wayne Airport and Hoag Hospital currently offer two wellness clinics at the airport: A COVID-19 rapid test clinic and a Fly Well Clinic. Hoag Hospital offers rapid coronavirus tests at $139 each. Testing on-site at the airport is available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to the JWA website.

The free service will help more people become aware of if they are positive for coronavirus before exposing friends and family.

Orange County Supervisors spoke on the new free testing service at the heavily trafficked Orange County airport.

"This is another example of the important work we have been doing throughout these past two years to protect our community during COVID," said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. "Bringing COVID tests to travelers will only help to encourage more people to keep getting tested to support early detection and prevent COVID from spreading."

"The holidays are about spending quality time with family and friends," said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. "This is also a time for us to come together and protect our loved ones however we can, which includes continuing to get tested against COVID if we are traveling and in close contact with others who may be unvaccinated."

Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District, stated, "Testing saves lives, which is why it is so critical that we make it as easy as possible for people to have access. Making these convenient tests available to the thousands of travelers who arrive in Orange County every day will help prevent COVID-19 variants from spreading in our community. I am grateful to our Health Care Agency for working with all of our offices and departments to distribute test kits to many vaccine clinics, local schools, and businesses. We want equal access to testing for all residents."

"This pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us," said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. "I am grateful for the initiative being taken in our County through HCA and JWA to ensure that people visiting or returning to Orange County are adequately tested and that ultimately our residents are safe."

"As a County, we have conducted over 5.8 million COVID tests to date, which means many have done their part to support their loved ones and the community," said Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett. "This collaboration between HCA and JWA will help ensure that people continue to have the resources available to keep getting tested and prevent the spread of COVID."

Meanwhile, travelers can also be vaccinated while at the airport by visiting the Hoag Fly Well Clinic. COVID-19 vaccinations are provided free to travelers 16 and up, and no appointment is needed.

The self-collection test kits continue to be available to all Orange County residents to order online at no cost by visiting ochealthinfo.com/covidtest, come with a prepaid shipping label, and can be dropped off at any FedEx drop-off location or scheduled for a pickup by calling (800) 463-3339.